Physics A-Level
Powers of ten and unit prefixes
What Powers of ten and unit prefixes means in Physics A-Level, as defined for OCR.
Definition of Powers of ten and unit prefixes
Check what you remember
Read the wording for your board, then hide it and explain Powers of ten and unit prefixes in your own words. Rough notes are fine. This is a self-check, with no mark or grade.
Reference: OCR
The prefixes kilo- and mega- make kpc and Mpc larger than a parsec by 10³ and 10⁶ respectively, so the prefix must be checked when converting.
Topics that use Powers of ten and unit prefixes
- Cosmology (OCR A-Level)
Related terms
- Age of the universe
- Astronomical distance units
- Baseline
- Big Bang nucleosynthesis
- Big Bang theory
- Cosmic microwave background
- Cosmic microwave background radiation
- Cosmological redshift
Using Powers of ten and unit prefixes in the exam
Check the command word and mark scheme for your exact question. After comparing your explanation with the reference, use the term in an answer on the linked topic. This practice does not predict an exam mark.
Practise Physics questions
Create a free account to answer exam-style questions on this topic and get feedback on your answers.
Start free
All Physics A-Level termsA week of Premium from your first lesson · Then the free plan continues · No card, no charge